can barely leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can barely leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express difficulty in leaving a place or situation, often due to emotional or physical constraints. Example: "After the long meeting, I can barely leave the office without feeling exhausted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

As it stands, he can barely leave the country; Yemenis can visit only Egypt, Syria, and Jordan without visas.

The New Yorker

Some legislators say they can barely leave the house without being assaulted by questions about what they did and did not spend.

The New York Times

"I have seen clients who can barely leave their homes due to anxiety, depression, PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] or obsessive compulsive disorder be deemed fit for work and therefore have their benefits cut or removed," Chelms said.

The Guardian

Ms. Glucheva can barely leave the house now, just two or three times a week to go to doctors and to meet her daughters coming home on the school bus.

The New York Times

I can barely leave my house, because the entire world that I've created for myself is inside of my computer.

Vice

At this time of year, most women wearing skirts, and tank tops, and dresses to stem the physical sensation of literally melting can barely leave the house without being catcalled or harassed, and our culture's boring obsession with what we look like can mean that, for some, wearing a swimsuit or bikini can feel less than desirable.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And they barely leave a stain.

The New York Times - Arts

I barely leave the house".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In fact, like most dog-owners, I can barely stand to leave her at all.

Independent

Muhammad Ali's Parkinson's disease has advanced to the point he can barely speak or leave his Arizona home, according to a member of his family.

The Guardian - Sport

You can fold it so it just barely leaves a little extra bandana over on the non-folded side instead of neatly folding one half over the other.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can barely leave" to convey a sense of significant difficulty or near-impossibility in leaving a place or situation due to physical, emotional, or circumstantial constraints. It suggests a strong impediment to departure.

Common error

Avoid using "can barely leave" when the reason for not leaving is trivial or easily overcome. This phrase implies a significant obstacle, so ensure the context warrants such a strong expression. For example, saying "I can barely leave because I'm watching a movie" is an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can barely leave" functions as a modal phrase expressing a diminished ability or near inability to perform the action of leaving. This expresses a limitation, as supported by Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness and its use in various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can barely leave" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express significant difficulty or near-impossibility in departing from a place or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and appears in contexts like news, general knowledge and scientific contents. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely warrants the implication of a strong impediment to leaving. Consider using alternatives like "can hardly leave" or "struggles to leave" if a slightly less intense expression is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is almost unable to leave

Emphasizes near-total inability to leave, adding a stronger sense of constraint.

is nearly incapable of leaving

Highlights a severe lack of capability to leave, intensifying the sense of restriction.

finds it very hard to leave

Focuses on the difficulty experienced when attempting to leave, rather than a complete inability.

struggles to go out

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in simply going out, suggesting a broader context than just leaving a specific place.

has difficulty venturing out

Emphasizes the challenge of venturing out, implying a sense of fear or reluctance.

is restricted from leaving

Suggests an external force or rule is preventing departure, changing the context from personal difficulty to external restriction.

is housebound

Indicates a state of being confined to one's home, often due to illness or disability.

is virtually confined

Highlights a state of near-complete confinement, often due to physical or mental limitations.

seldom departs

Shifts the focus to the infrequency of leaving, rather than the difficulty.

rarely goes out

Highlights the infrequency of leaving the house, implying a preference or circumstance that limits outdoor activities.

FAQs

How can I use "can barely leave" in a sentence?

The phrase "can barely leave" indicates a severe difficulty or near inability to depart from a place or situation. For example, "Due to severe anxiety, she "can barely leave" her house."

What are some alternatives to "can barely leave"?

Alternatives include "can hardly leave", "struggles to leave", or "is almost unable to leave", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "can barely leave" and "can hardly leave"?

While similar, "can barely leave" emphasizes a greater level of difficulty or constraint than "can hardly leave". Both suggest difficulty, but "can barely" implies a near impossibility.

Is it appropriate to use "can barely leave" in formal writing?

Yes, "can barely leave" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, as it's grammatically correct and widely understood. The appropriateness depends more on the context than the formality of the writing.